Free The Dark Places by D. Martin Page B

toward the Dearleth
Colonies and my dear , unloving,
opportunistic family.
    “What would you do if you were
free, Kailiri?” Matt quietly asked. “Unfettered to anyone, and free without the worry of finances or transport. Where would you go and
what would you do?”
    I stared into his fascinating eyes.
“First of all, I would be very lost
without you.” My voice wavered. I took several long, deep breaths to keep back
my threatening tears.
    His expression remained serious. “I’ll
program a special navilog file for you.” Matt held my gaze with his. “If there
comes a time when I’m no longer aware or too ill to help you, you will call up
that navigation file from the Stardancer’s comp, and she will safely take you to any of the selected central system
planets on the flight program. Our marriage records and a witness document on a
microdisk are stored in the ship’s memory files. It will be released to you
when you insert the ring I’m wearing into her ident plate. It’s encoded. Don’t lose it.”
    Matt removed the intricately
engraved band from his finger and slipped it over one of mine, where it hung
heavy, loose, and still warm from his hand. A curious emotion that I could only
describe as awed reverence settled within my heart. The ring felt special—like
a vital part of him. I would have to be careful or find a way to keep it more
securely later.
    “The witness disk must be taken to
the nearest Alliance Administration Complex. All my possessions and holdings,
including this ship, which you can resell, will be released to you without
legal challenge, Kai.”
    This was the first time he had ever
shortened my name. I liked it upon his lips—far better than Harry’s bellowing
rendition of it. But the things Matt is
saying—it’s too much like his final will and testament.
    My eyesprickled, but I forced the tears to remain unshed. “Is it—are you
feeling worse, Matt?”
    “I’ll show you Rikin, my lady,” he
said quietly, “then we shall see.”
    “Have you been to a medicenter? Specialists? Have you been diagnosed—treated?”
    His eyes smiled, although his lips
remained straight-lined with sternness. “I’ve visited medicenters, yes. Many
times, five years ago, when I became alarmed at what was happening to me.
Nothing could be done. I stopped seeking answers after I accepted that the
changes were the consequences from my brash actions. There was a time
allotment. That time is nearing its end.”
    “ What is it? Why can’t you tell me what it is that’s affecting you?”
I pleaded with earnest desperation.
    His lips curved in a smile that seemed
to hold much rue and bitterness. “Beware the dark places, my lady,” he said
cryptically.
    My heart ached for him and for the
void he’d leave if he left my life. “You said we were imprinted on each other—you
told me a little about it on Harnaru, but there’s more to it… right? What is it
and what’s it really doing to us?” I
whispered.
    “I’ll tell you on Rikin.”
    I sat silent then, with my arms
wrapped about him as the ship reported torrential rains across the planet’s
surface and began her twenty-first orbit about Rikin .

Chapter Seven
     
    I was disappointed in Rikin’s
general appearance when we’d landed, even allowing for the depressing
aftermaths of a long, heavy rainstorm. Rikin was part rocky mountains and part
dark forests with little meadows. The sullen, gray, mist-laden mountains
towering over the meadows never showed their crowns. The sun didn’t peek out
during our walk, and neither were Rikin’s daytime moons visible overhead,
although Matt assured me two lurked up there, hidden by the clouds.
    Unafraid small gray birds huddled
on the low shrubbery, watching us and emitting disgruntled, periodic chirps as
we passed. The vegetation-covered ground underfoot was soggy, and I was
grateful for the thick-soled boots on my feet. We both wore coveralls—Matt wore
dark blue for his trade venture, while I’d opted